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Oblique strain sends Hanigan to disabled list

6/30/14: Ryan Hanigan rips a base hit into left field, bringing in Brandon Guyer from second to give the Rays a one-run lead

By Adam Berry
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MLB.com |

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays placed catcher Ryan Hanigan on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a left oblique strain.

To take Hanigan's spot on the active roster, the Rays selected the contract of catcher Curt Casali from Triple-A Durham. Tampa Bay moved outfielder Wil Myers (right wrist fracture) to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster. Myers is eligible to return on July 30, but he's more likely due back in mid-August.

Hanigan's stint was made retroactive to July 9, as he sat out Tampa Bay's final four games before the All-Star break, but Rays manager Joe Maddon couldn't guarantee that Hanigan would be back after the minimum 15 days.

Hanigan missed time earlier this season with a right hamstring strain, sitting out from May 27-June 11. The 33-year-old catcher, acquired in a three-way trade this past offseason, has hit .212/.309/.327 with four homers and 27 RBIs in 61 games.

"It's tough. We just can't get him going," Maddon said. "He started out so well and then we lost him for a bit, and then he came back and was starting to feel really good.

"It's difficult, but we've had to fight through moments like this before. Hanny's so involved in the game, talking about moment by moment. Brings a lot of definite intensity to the group, so we're going to miss him. We're going to miss him again. But we'll get him well and see if that gets him ready for that stretch drive."

Casali, 24, was hitting .237 with three homers and 15 RBIs in 46 games for Durham. He will be making his Major League debut with the Rays.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.